flehentlich
imploringly · imploring · pleadingly
The German word "flehentlich" is an adverb that translates to "entreatingly" or "pleadingly" in English. It is derived from the verb "flehen," which means "to plead" or "to beseech." "Flehentlich" describes an action done in a manner that seeks sympathy, mercy, or compassion, often conveying desperation.
Similar terms in German include "bittersüß" (beseechingly) and "bettelnd" (beggingly). The distinction lies mainly in the nuances; for instance, "bittersüß" may carry an emotional weight associated with sorrow, while "bettelnd" emphasizes a more overt and often desperate form of begging. "Flehentlich," in contrast, typically conveys a heartfelt or emotional appeal without the associated context of desperation that "bettelnd" might imply.
Make “flehentlich” part of your vocabulary.
Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Er bat sie flehentlich um Hilfe.adjective
He imploringly asked her for help.
Mit flehentlicher Stimme wandte er sich an die Gruppe und erklärte seine verzweifelte Lage.adjective
With an imploring voice, he turned to the group and explained his desperate situation.
Hoffnungslos rief er flehentlich nach Hilfe.adjective
Hopelessly, he cried out imploringly for help.
Flehentlich bat er sie, ihm noch eine Chance zu geben.adjective
Pleadingly he asked her to give him another chance.
Jeden Tag richtete er flehentlich sein Anliegen an den Himmel.adjective
Every day he imploringly directed his request to the sky.
Keep exploring German
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad